Thomas Oliver Merritt

January 21, 1932 ~ December 24, 2016

VISITATION DETAILS

Friday, December 30, 2016

2:00 – 8:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

SERVICE DETAILS

Saturday, December 31, 2016

10:30 AM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

SURVIVORS

3 Children – Curt Merritt of Hornersville, MO

Lana Merritt (fiancé, John Heller) of Harlan, IA

Kevin Merritt of San Antonio, TX

1 Brother – Delbert (Shirley) Merritt of Dysart, IA

1 Sister – Alice Jo Ann (Tim) Scarbrough of Clearwater, MN

3 Grandchildren – Faith Peterson

Drew Peterson

Megan Merritt Cool

Other Relatives & Friends

Thomas “Tom” Oliver Merritt, the fourth son of Arthur Ray and Alice Cleo (Ravlin) Merritt was born January 21, 1932, in Buckingham, Iowa. He attended the Geneseo (Iowa) School. Tom married Helen Coleen Olson on May 23,1954, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. The couple lived in Omaha, Nebraska, while Tom was in the Air Force Reserve. Tom and Helen then moved to San Jose, California, where the first two of their children, Curtis and Lana, were born. They then moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and had a third child, Kevin.

Tom then moved his family to Kirkman, Iowa, and was employed by Harlan Builders. He briefly worked for Gateway Harvestore before opening Handyman Lumber and Supply.

Tom and Helen bought a one-room country school house east of Harlan, Iowa, in Rabbit Hollow, and turned it into the family home. He remained in his home following Helen’s death on August 23, 2007. In February 2014, Tom became a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Community Assisted Living.

Tom was a caring person who was always helping others. He was also the family handyman, making repairs and improvements on his parent’s house, and putting a kitchen sink in his in-law’s home, giving them indoor plumbing. Tom remodeled an entire house for his daughter. He made furniture for anyone who asked, and once made a drop-leaf table in one day.

Tom was a founding member of Shelby County Crime Stoppers and donated many hours to the Shelby County Museum. He and Helen loved to travel, visiting 49 of the United States. He especially loved the quiet of the country, and enjoyed spending time fishing with friends. Tom enjoyed a good Pepsi and listening to Johnny Cash and other country music.

Thomas Oliver Merritt passed away on Christmas Eve 2016, having reached the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 3 days.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen (Olson) Merritt; and three brothers, Arthur Merritt, Marvin Merritt, and Dale Merritt. He is survived by his three children, Curt Merritt of Hornersville, Missouri, Lana Merritt (fiancé, John Heller) of Harlan, Iowa, and Kevin Merritt of San Antonio, Texas; one brother, Delbert (Shirley) Merritt of Dysart, Iowa; one sister, Alice Jo Ann (Tim) Scarbrough of Clearwater, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Faith Peterson, Drew Peterson, and Megan Merritt Cool; and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Donna Ewert of the Congregational United Church of Christ, Harlan, Iowa, officiating. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.